Self-loading earth-scraper



(Nd Mo del.) e

' 4 E. P. FOX.

SELF LOADING EARTH SGRAPER.

,257, I LPeteeted Feb. 19., 1895.

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EDWARD P. Fox, on GARNER, IOWA.

SELF-LOADING. EARTH-SCRAPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 534,257, dated February 19, 1895.

pp a filed December 26, 1894. Serial No. 533 ,037. (No model.)

scraper arranged to be moved either backwardly or forwardly by means of cables at tached to opposite ends thereof and particularly adapted for use in dredging or digging ditches through marshes or oth or places where an operator cannot convenient-ly'control its movements, it being arranged so that it may be set to fill with earth when advanced and when full to automatically assume a position whereby it may be dragged over the ground surface to a point where it may be dumped.

My invention consists in certain details in the construction, arrangement and combina tion of a scraper and frame therefor whereby when the scraper is filled it will automatically assume a position parallel with the frame to prevent it from entering the ground farther,

- as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device showing the scraper in position for loading and by dot-ted'lines'in position for carrying. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.

Referring to the accompanying drawings the reference letter A is used to indicate the frame composed of a single piece of metal with straight parallel sides and its ends curved and bent upwardly. It is provided with the openings A and A at its forward and rear ends respectively adapted to admit cables whereby it may be, drawn forwardly or backwardly over the ground surface.

The scraper proper B, may be of any ordinary contour and is provided with outwardly projecting journals B near its forward end admitted into the bearing boxes B? fixed to the sides of the frame A. 'Its rear end 0 is hinged at C to swing in a vertical plane and 0 indicates lugs formed on or fixed to the ends of the part 0 near its top to projectoutwardly through the segmental slots D in the sides of of the end piece 0.

F indicates brackets fixed to the sides of the frame A and having its top surface inclined upwardly and rearwardly and one or more recesses F in their upper rear faces also having upwardly and re'arwardly inclined bottom edges. These brackets are so positioned that the said lugs C may rest upon their tops or enter one of the recesses when at the forward limitof their movement and clear the said brackets when at the rearward limit of their movement.

H indicates handles fixed to the sides of the scrapers in the usual manner.

J indicates a contractile coil spring having its lower end fixed to a lug J 'on the frame A and its upper end formed into a hook J adapted to be placed over one of the handles the scoop thus permitting a limited movement- H when the rear end of the scraper is elevated and normally exert a yielding pressure downwardly and arranged to be readily'disengaged from the handle, when the scoop is in posi-- tion for carrying.

In practical operation assuming that it is desired to dig a ditch through wet ground and that cables were attached to the opposite ends of the frame A the lugs G are placed on top of the brackets (if it is desired to dig deep) or in one of the recesses, and the cable at the.

front of the'scoop advanced. It .will be obvious that the scoop will be heldin a position at an angle relative to the frame and the ground surface, as the frame constantly lies parallel with the ground surface. Then when the scraper is fullthe earth will press against the rear end piece and move it backwardly thus releasing it from the bracketand allow- I Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States therefor iS'.

1 An improved scraper, comprising an oblong frame curved upwardly at its ends, a

scraper pivoted near its forward end to the sides of said frame, a device in the rear end of the scraper adapted to move longitudinally thereof when pressed upon by earth in the scraper, means for holding the rear end of the scraper elevated relative to the frame and means for releasingthe rear end of the scraper when said movable device in the rear'of the scraper is pressed backwardly, for the purposes stated.

2. An improved scraper, comprising an oblong frame curved upwardly at both ends, a scraper pivoted near its forward end to the sides of the frame and having slots in its sides near its rear end, a rear end piece for said scraper hinged at its lower edge and having two lugs near its top to project outwardly through the said slots, handles on the rear end 

